Religion Briefing March 23, 2013

Empty Bowls event tickets on saleTUPELO – Tickets for the Salvation Army’s 15th annual Empty Bowls event are now on sale for $15 each.
They may be obtained by contacting the Army’s headquarters at (662) 842-9222. Tickets will also be sold at the Fairpark Salon, Reed’s Gift Shop, Midnite Pottery, Way-Fil Jewelry, and Stone’s Jewelry.
Pre-ordered and take out meals may also be obtained by contacting (662) 213-7596.
The event will take place on Wednesday at the Tupelo Furniture Market’s Building V. At the event, attendees will sample soups from 70 local restaurants and walk away with a souvenir bowl from the Army’s women’s auxiliary or local potters.

Temple B’Nai Israel to hold Passover dinnerThe Temple B’Nai Israel will hold a Passover dinner celebration on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Passover commemorates the Biblical story of the nation of Israel’s escape from Egypt. After attempts to persuade the Pharaoh with nine plagues failed, a 10th plague brought death to Egyptian first-borns. The evening before this plague, Israelites marked their doorposts with the blood of a spring lamb, a signal to the spirit of the Lord to pass over the first-borns in those homes.
The event will be held at the Tupelo Country Club. To make reservations contact (662) 841-1717. For more information, contact (662) 844-0800.

Resemblance of Satan actor to Obama deniedThe producers of History channel’s “The Bible” fended off claims Monday that the actor who plays Satan in the miniseries resembles President Barack Obama.
Executive producers Mark Burnett, who created “Survivor,” and his wife, “Touched by an Angel” actress Roma Downey, described the comparisons as “utter nonsense.”
“False statements such as these are just designed as a foolish distraction to try and discredit the beauty of the story of the Bible,” according to a statement from Downey.
The social media sphere blew up with the comparison Sunday night, which was touted by conservative commentator Glenn Beck, among others.
Beck followed up Monday telling the media to relax. He said the similarity was “funny, nothing more.”
The History channel also sought to dampen the controversy, releasing a statement saying “The series was produced with an international and diverse cast of respected actors. It’s unfortunate that anyone made this false connection. History’s ‘The Bible’ is meant to enlighten people on its rich stories and deep history.”

This week’s answerQ. WHAT did Ezra stand on to read to Israel before the Watergate?
A. A PULPIT of wood (Nehemiah 8:4)

This week’s questionQ. WHAT IS a good thing to do unto the Lord?
Questions by Claude Wilemon